Historically I’ve usually bought Dublin “Venturer” pull-on paddock boots – because they’re relatively cheap, they’re comfortable, they’re easy, and they don’t look too bad. But they’re NOT waterproof, and I tend to wear through them SO fast when I’m working in them every day – like in just a few months.
I’m looking for new paddock boots again, and I really want something WATERPROOF (very important), ideally pull-on, brown, w/ spur rests, that are comfortable both to work in & ride in (under half chaps). EDIT: & I’d really like not to spend more than $200 on them. If I had an unlimited budget, I’d just get myself a nice pair of Dubarry boots & call it a day! But unfortunately there is a limit.
I just got a pair of Ariat Twin Gore waterproof barn boots, which I was super excited about & thought would be perfect. But no! They have a sort of seam on the back of the shaft, which at the top kind of curves inward slightly; and basically, I had irritated spots on the backs of my calves after only wearing them a few moments, and I could tell right away that those things would give me HORRIBLE blisters if worn for any real length of time. Under half chaps they were extremely painful, because of the chaps digging that seam even harder into my legs. I do not think this is a problem that breaking in will solve.
so…now I’m at a loss! And I don’t know what boots to look at next.
I’ve been scoping out different pairs of BOGS, which look nice except for the fact that none of them have spur rests.
I’d love some ideas.
Don’t do barn chores in paddock boots. Do them in boots that are meant for that kind of work and are much less expensive to boot. Paddock boots are meant for riding, not for slogging through mud and muck. That’s why they don’t last.
agreed- no chores in boots.
find a pair of GOOD running shoes - the kind meant for hiking. bonus if you can get waterproof ones.
I found a really good pair of hiking boots, they were a cross-over of running sneakers & hike&trail boots - they were so ugly, but lasted me 3+ years (still going strong) of nearly 24/7 abuse - the first year especially was 80/hr week of barn work as a BM.
i still have them and they’re dirty as all get out, but look brand new in terms of tread & wear.
I love my Ariat Terrain H2Os. They look like hiking boots but they have spur rests,and you can get them in black and a few browns. Make sure you get the waterproof version (Terrain H2O, not just Terrain); I can vouch that my Terrain H2Os have stood up to three months of getting regularly doused in the wash stall with no leakage and are super comfortable to work in all day. You can wear half chaps with them, but keep in mind that the terrains are much bulkier than regular paddock boots so if you have ones that are super fitted to your ankle, that wouldn’t work. They cost in the realm of $115.
I use red wing work boots for paddock boots. They sell a model with a crepe sole that are great for riding. You can pick them up practically anywhere and they are much less expensive than ariats or other name brand horse boots.
Barn work in rubber muck boots. Ride in the Ariat Volants. I am so done with paddock boots and half chaps.
I agree that paddock boots aren’t really meant for the paddock. Also, if you spent a little more you would probably get more out of them. I bought Ariats some five or six years ago, and I still have them and they look great.
These look interesting…
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/ro…ies&cadevice=c
I was hoping someone had tried them and could give a review!
Looks like they have them in a non safety toe on the Carharrt site.
oops crap ignore this post
=/
I have a pair of Petrie Coventry field boots (which need re-heeling at the moment), but if at all possible I prefer to both work & ride in actual paddock boots/at least “barn boots,” so I do not have to change my shoes every time I get on/off a horse. You know…since my last pair of paddock boots died I’ve been working in a $30 pair of ‘fashion’ boots from I think Walmart, and they’ve held up kind of remarkably…not fully waterproof but still in one piece & even look perfectly decent after a bit of a cleaning. They suck to ride in though – half chaps don’t fit over them well & they have a zipper on the inside.
Every “muck boot” type shoe I’ve ever worn before has been quite exceedingly uncomfortable for me. I really don’t mind replacing paddock boots once or even twice a year…just not like 5x a year…
Spend a little more…than $200??
Am I crazy for thinking that is a fair & reasonable price for a pair of quality waterproof paddock boots?
I don’t even think Ariat makes paddock boots w/ a price tag higher than $200…
do you know if those are women’s or men’s sizes?
The waterproof requirement is your problem. Since paddock boots are not meant to be chore boots, the vast majority of them will not be waterproof.
Dunno, I’ve been wearing the same pair of LL Bean boots for 10 years and stepping into them after I get off a horse takes about 0.02 seconds, so I think I’ve gotten my $100 out of these. I also use a pair of Rossi boots for both things and those are indestructible, but not waterproof.
The Carhartts come women’s and men’s sizes.
Honestly, I always say I’m going to keep my paddock boots for riding only and put on my clogs to do actual barn work, but I will admit I rarely actually abide by that. I even give baths in my paddock boots. I know, it’s horrible, but I do it, and honestly my paddock boots tend to last about a year before they start getting holey. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable expectation for a pair of boots, especially if the OP is willing to spend up to $200. I never spend more than $100 and I get the most random brands (whatever is on sale and in my size).
OP, I think you might like the Ariat H20 Terrains that someone mentioned earlier. They’re kinda like a hiking sneaker and I’ve never had an issue with my half chaps fitting over them. I find them more comfortable than a regular paddock boot as well.
Dublin Tall River Boots are a nice Dubarry knock-off for under $200. My first pair lasted through 5 years of barn work and riding. I just bought a new pair. Definitely good boots, truly waterproof and have a nice stirrup rest.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/dublin-rcs-river-tall-boot/p/X1-38762/
Wellies. Get a pair that really fit well.
I have a pair of Dehner paddock boots. They were about $260 but they lasted over 10 years. They are finally just getting a crack in the leather over the ball of my foot. But they have lasted longer than anything I have bought in the past. I was doing the sneakers and riding boot thing, but it got old changing out of them. The Ariats just dont fit my feet and I spend a long time breaking them in, and then they crack and its all over. When my Dehners finally bite the dust, I am going to get another pair. It was a bit pricey but worth it.
I have Ariat H20 twin gore, and they work well. I need good foot support, even Blundstones are too unconstructed for me, and I hatehatehate the gumboot/wellies/ anything rubber. The Ariats are working well for barn chores and riding. I do not however have to deal with real, true, deep mud at my barn, only puddles and wet hog fuel. If I was actually sinking in clay or gumbo mud like some barns I’ve visited, I’d have something different, probably would need a gumboot. Though I’ve had the mud suck those right off out at one pasture, was hopping around trying to retrieve while trying not to stand on the blackberry vines!
Has anyone tried these? I have been thrilled with the Mountain Horse boots I’ve had in the past, in terms of fit and wear.
http://mountainhorseusa.com/footwear/jod-boots/mountain-horseprotective-jod-307114
I’ve had Dublin River boots before (the mid height ones, not tall), and while I did love them, they did definitely not stay waterproof all that long. And that was before I worked in a barn professionally, so they didn’t get so much wear as I put on boots nowadays.
Though that was back in I think 2011 or maybe '12 that I bought my River boots, so maybe they’ve been improved since then?
Also saw that the Dublin Venturer paddock boots I’ve usually bought have been upgraded to the “Venturer II,” and now purport to be fully waterproof (as opposed to “resistant”), and have good reviews. so maybe an option… The last Dublin Venturers I got were of the 1st series, and it must’ve been right around the time they were getting ready to switch over to the “II” model, 'cause I had a hell of a hard time finding a place that had any in stock. Those don’t have spur rests though, which is not a total hard line deal breaker, but I would strongly prefer.
Those Mountain Horse boots posted above look nice! Can’t tell if they have a spur rest? Will have to look into that. & I can’t see if it says specifically if they’re waterproof…it says they are “designed to resist acid & corrosive substances.” hm…
so many options! none of them perfect though. =/
hah, I wish I could just buy like half a dozen pairs of boots to see which ones I like best & return those that don’t make the cut. 
Not an option unfortunately.
Man, I was so excited about those Ariat Twin Gore boots, they did seem perfect. So disappointing they had that spot that rubbed my calves so badly.
I agree. They are best for riding but cannot be used in slogging. Although wellies are good.
